Bro. Chris Hodapp has a new poll at his Freemasons for Dummies blog asking Masons if there is just ONE appendant group that they could join, what would it be?
A tough question especially that most Masons are interested in joining both of the most well known appendant bodies- the York Rite, and the Scottish Rite. But in this poll scenario, there could only be one.
Anyway, I am one of those Masons which some may refer to as "esoterically inclined". I enjoy researching the works of Manly P. Hall and Albert Pike and because of that inclination, I'm kind of leaning towards joining the Scottish Rite.
But then again, knowing that there is no higher degree than the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason (aka the 3rd Degree), I find myself questioning my desire to gain more degrees beyond the Third.
So I guess I'll pass on this poll for now, but in 2 years, if my Lodge will have me, I will serve as the Master. And when my term is over, maybe I'll think about joining the "higher" bodies. But for now, I'm happy with my position as a self-fashioned Blue Lodge Fundamentalist.
John Paul Gomez
Author
Bro. John Paul Gomez (aka Paul, JP, JPG) is a graphics designer by trade and a full-time father-of-4. He is currently the WM-Elect at Doric Lodge No. 316 AF&AM in Ontario, Canada. He is an honorary member of Harmonie Lodge No. 699 F&AM in Buffalo, New York. In his youth, he was a member of the International Order of DeMolay Occidental Mindoro Philippines Chapter and the Thomas Michael Sherry Priory Order of Knighthood. He is a wanabee Muaythai fighter.